Kauai Adventure 2025

August 4 - 12

Pre-trip Meeting: Saturday, July 12, 2025

This is a two-part meeting:

• 1 pm - 2 pm: Parents, kids, and camp staff.
• 2 pm – 6 pm: Kids and camp staff

The first meeting covers the camp itinerary in detail and answers any questions anyone may have. All campers need to attend, as does at least one parent/guardian of each participant. Students need to bring a swimsuit, towel, dive mask, snorkel & fins.

The second meeting gives kids the chance to meet and know each other before the trip and accomplish a few important tasks:

1. Kids create their own journals for the trip at Trackers.
2. We then travel to a nearby pool where kids take a brief but important swim test.
3. Last on the agenda is a snorkeling lesson.

We return to Trackers at 6:00 pm, where you can pick up your kids.

This trip is a full-on dive into the nature and natural history of Kauai. To that end, we include lessons in Geology, Marine Biology, Island Biogeography, and Ornithology throughout the camp. Kids take notes and record all the species we see, both marine and terrestrial, in their journals each day.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1: Monday, August 4 - Arrive in Kauai & Move in!

Staff and campers meet at the Portland Airport to catch the flight to Kauai (flights TBD). All are greeted in Kauai upon arrival at the Lihue Airport by the Trip Leader, Steve Robertson. We load the vans and head for the North Shore of Kauai, our home for the next 9 days. We plan to stop en route in the village of Hanalei for our first (of many) fruit smoothies, then head to Camp Naue to move in.

Camp Naue is a special place indeed. Located on the far end of Kauai’s North Shore (known as the Napali Coast) and within walking distance of world-famous Tunnels Beach and the Hanaikapia Trail, Camp Naue is most every kid’s camping dream come true! The cabins are literally on the beach, and the first thing the kids' feet touch when leaving the cabin is sand. With the warm, sub-tropical waters of Hawaii just feet away, everyone falls asleep to the sounds of ocean waves and awakens to one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the world.

As soon as the kids move in, they get into their swimsuits and meet staff on the beach for a briefing on ocean/water safety, survival techniques, how to deal with rip currents, wave interaction protocols, etc. Kids then enjoy some swim time (always with 2 staff on guard) and/or some free time on the beach before dinner.

Camp Naue also has its own lodge/dining hall, and a large beautiful kitchen where we prepare most of our meals. Most nights, the kids help prepare dinner, but tonight the staff takes the helm and welcomes everyone to Kauai with a big dinner that’s sure to please. After supper, we meet to go over the itinerary and goals of the trip, then have our first campfire, learn a little history of the islands, tell a few stories, and maybe sing a song or two before calling it a night.

Day 2: Tuesday, August 5 - Explore the North Shore

After a delicious breakfast, we gather for a Marine Biology 101 lesson focusing on coral biology/ecology and a review of proper “Reef Etiquette.” We then pack up all the essentials and head straight for Tunnels Beach for our first go at snorkeling. The coral reefs located just offshore do not disappoint, as they are home to over nine phyla of marine organisms and a myriad of coral fish. The kids have waterproof fish ID cards with them as they snorkel, and we huddle up afterwards on the beach to discuss the species they saw on the reef.

After a morning at the beach and in the sea, we visit the Wet & Dry Caves at the “End of the Road,” accompanied by a chat on the island’s geology, then head back to camp. After lunch, we visit the little coastal village of Hanalei for a bit of town time. Here’s where kids can buy a cool souvenir, a new beach towel, or another fruit smoothie. We also visit the local grocery so kids can help pick out items for dinner. Back at camp, we enjoy journal time where kids record the species they saw and make their daily entry, followed by free time in camp before we begin to prepare our evening meal, followed by campfire.

Day 3: Wednesday, August 6 - North Shore Exploration Continues

Breakfast at camp as usual, then kids pack their own lunches as we’re in the field most of the day. Our first destination is the nearby Kilauea Lighthouse & Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where we’re guaranteed a world-class avian experience with vast colonies of nesting seabirds such as Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds and Red-footed Boobies, while the skies overhead are filled with soaring Great Frigate Birds.

After the lighthouse, we have lunch at Lumahaʻi Beach, famous as a setting for the movie South Pacific. The sheer beauty of this beach is breathtaking, but often too rough to swim, so we likely head to another local beach for that. Back at camp, kids have a little time to refresh, then gather to discuss the principles of Island Biogeography and record the species of the day in our journals. Then we enjoy free-time, followed by a BBQ dinner and campfire. Weather permitting, we do a bit of star gazing, learning the primary constellations and the celestial technique of determining one’s latitude by the stars (Hint: it only works in the northern hemisphere).

Day 4: Thursday, August 7 - Waimea Canyon & Poipu Beach

Today, we pack our lunches after breakfast and head out for the day to explore the Island. We travel past Lihue and up into the mountains to see the amazing Waimea Canyon, known as “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” After exploring the canyon, we visit Koke’e Natural History Museum to learn about the history and culture of Kauai’s indigenous people. Students bring their journals and record a bit of info they found particularly fascinating to be shared with the group during campfire.

After lunch at Koke’e State Park, we stop at Poipu Beach, often described as “the Number one Beach in the World.” We enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the protected waters of Poipu, an excellent location for students to gain skill and confidence in snorkeling. After several hours of delightful beach time, we head back to camp, likely with a surprise en route. Once back at Camp Naue, kids have time to freshen up before we meet for journal time and campfire.

Day 5: Friday, August 8 - Kalalau Trail Day

Today, we hike the stunning and semi-strenuous Kalalau Trail… a beautiful, 2.5-mile trail that hugs the Napali Coast and takes us to Hanakapiai Beach. This is a beach few ever get to experience, and we spend the morning swimming and relaxing at this amazing location.

This is also a fitting site to discuss the impacts that invasive species can have on an island, as a small population of feral cats have been seen in the area. Cats are an introduced species in Hawaii and are known to decimate native birds. They are considered to be one of the primary factors that has caused several species of birds to go extinct here. Habitat loss, hunting, and pollution have all been factors too, and we be sure to discuss the positive steps individuals can take to be part of the solution.

After lunch, we hike out and head back to camp, where kids enjoy free time until we gather again for journals, dinner, and campfire.

Day 6: Saturday, August 9 - Smoothies Galore & More Snorkeling

After a delicious breakfast, we head into Hanalei to go to the outdoor Farmer’s Market where everyone gets to shop to their heart’s content, selecting the fruits of their choice to make smoothies with back at camp. After enjoying a little town time, we travel back to camp with our cornucopia of tropical yumminess to begin a smoothie free-for-all! With all the fresh fruit one could imagine, kids create the smoothie of their dreams.

After the blender madness subsides, we enjoy lunch at camp, then gather for another lesson in Marine Biology, focusing on the major fish groups & species we’re likely to encounter. Then we get our snorkel gear and head for the beach. The reefs off shore right at camp are also world class, and provide splendid views of a plethora of reef fish and possibly even octopus and sea turtles. Shower time follows, then journal time, dinner, and campfire.

Day 7: Sunday, August 10 - In-Camp Day

Most of the day is spent in camp or on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, playing games, making smoothies, and just having fun. Our only planned activity for the day is journal time on the beach, but with an artistic twist: students have the chance to create a watercolor painting in their journals of the ocean, mountains, and/or beach... whatever image they choose to help them remember this magical place.

Day 8: Monday, August 11 - Kids Choice Day

As today is our last full day in Kauai, the kids choose our agenda. We could revisit any of the beaches we’ve snorkeled at, spend a little more time in Hanalei, or head to the hills for another hike… any or all is fair game, whatever we can fit into the day. We plan to be back in time for kids to wash up and start packing their bags before dinner. We end with our last journal time and a special campfire for our final night in Kauai.

Day 9: Tuesday, August 12 - Heading Home

One of the goals of the trip is to give the kids a chance to make new friends… this has no doubt happened, and many of the kids will want to stay in touch, making today the beginning of something rather than an ending.

Today, we catch our flights home, and though the actual flights are yet to be determined, most leave Kauai in the morning and arrive stateside in the evening.

Travel Information

We provide a pre-trip meeting with all participants and parents/guardians where we cover the specific packing and travel needs. For air travel we typically meet students at the airport across from the ticket counter of the airline being used. Contact Us for packing lists and required vaccination information. We provide chaperoned air travel–from Portland to Seattle to our destination (see below for flight booking). We can work out arrangements for Bay Area and Seattle area families as well.

Flight Booking

Wild Latitudes will take the lead on selecting the flight by providing assistance from our travel agent (free of charge to participants) to secure the proper flights and seats.

Dietary Allergies & Preferences

We do our best to accommodate diet preferences and allergies. Due to the backcountry of this trip, those eating vegan may need to bring some food items to accommodate this diet unavailability of certain foods in our backcountry camp.

Cancellation Policy

In the event a participant needs to cancel a reservation for any tour, the following policies will apply:

• 120 days or more prior to the trip departure date, 75% the deposit is refunded.
• Less than 120 days prior to the trip departure date but more than 60 days prior to trip departure date, all payments refunded, minus 50% of deposit.
• Less than 60 days prior to trip departure date, no refunds are given.
• All refunds are subject to a 3% processing fee

Please Note: The cost of any internal air flight purchased by Trackers Earth and Wild Latitudes for your trip is not refundable. This may or may not fall within the standard 120 day cancellation period.

If Trackers Earth or Wild Latitudes cancels a trip for any reason prior to its start, full refunds—minus the cost of any airline tickets purchased for the individual and/or any non-refundable deposits or expenses already made by Wild Latitudes-will be given. All refunds are subject to a 3% processing fee. Trackers Earth & Wild Latitudes also reserve the right to cancel any trip for which there are insufficient registrations. In the event the trip is canceled while underway due to unforeseen events such as, but not limited to, natural disasters, military activities, social uprising, or other extremely dangerous conditions not within the control of Wild Latitudes, no refunds will be issued.

Travel Insurance & Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance and trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen losses due to accidents or illness. Check with your insurance agent regarding coverage you may presently have via other insurance policies that may cover illness during your trip.

Tour Date & Trip Leader Changes

Leaders and schedules are determined a year or more in advance of our tours. In the event that we have a change in a trip’s dates and/or leaders, we reserve the right to do so, and will strive to inform participants as early in the process as possible. Additional leaders may be added to tours, according to the group size or other factors.